The Best Movies on HBO Max to Watch Right Now (March 2022)

Dune is again, child! The primary chapter of Denis Villenueve’s stunning sci-fi epic returns to HBO Max after taking a while off in the course of the 90-day window of theater exclusivity (and that is after 30 days of harmonious twin releases in theaters and on HBO Max). In case you watched the primary 40 minutes of it after which fell asleep when it was on HBO Max earlier than like I did, now’s your probability to complete. For one thing just a little extra all the way down to Earth, however simply as lengthy, watch Drive My Automobile, the Japanese entry for Finest Worldwide Movie at this yr’s Academy Awards. There’s additionally West Aspect Story and Free Man if subtitles aren’t your factor. Developing quickly (March 24) is the biopic King Richard, starring Will Smith as Richard Williams, the daddy of Venus and Serena.

A word about how this listing was made: Within the curiosity of preserving it related, we’re emphasizing motion pictures lately added to HBO/HBO Max and new releases, however we have additionally made positive so as to add different motion pictures we expect you will wish to find out about. We’ll be updating it often.

We even have an inventory of the greatest exhibits to look at on HBO Max, in addition to suggestions for Netflix (motion pictures/exhibits), Amazon Prime Video (motion pictures/exhibits), Hulu (motion pictures/exhibits), Disney+ (motion pictures/exhibits), Apple TV+, and Peacock.

Final up to date March 10, 2022; newer additions are on the high

For followers of: Sand, cinematography, remakes value a darn

Yr: 2021
Director: Denis Villenueve
Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac
Style: Drama, Science-Fiction
Ranking: PG-13
Metacritic rating: 74

Denis Villenueve’s new tackle Frank Herbert’s science-fiction novel (and David Lynch’s “traditional” 1984 movie) is a shocking movie, regardless of all of the browns. The onerous sci-fi story follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a younger royal, as his household is thrust into battle for a planet that’s the solely supply for essentially the most worthwhile substance within the universe, spice. However you might be simply expecting the giants worms, proper? Dune is again on HBO Max for good after a simultaneous launch in theaters and on HBO Max and a 90-day break from HBO Max to spice up these field workplace numbers. –Tim Surette [Trailer]

For followers of: Oscar movies, tenderness, sluggish burns

Yr: 2021
Director: Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
Stars: Hidetoshi Nishijima, Toko Miura
Style: Drama
Ranking: NR
Metacritic rating: 91

Tailored from a Haruki Murakami quick story, Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s Oscar-nominated movie follows an getting older, widowed actor (Hidetoshi Nishijima) who takes a job directing a stage adaptation of Uncle Vanya. He strikes up a curious bond with the younger girl (Toko Miura) tasked with chauffeuring him forwards and backwards, and begins to course of his grief for his spouse by their conversations. Its runtime clocks in at three hours complete, however each hauntingly stunning minute is value it. –Allison Picurro [Trailer]

West Aspect Story

For followers of: Basic musicals, remakes, Spielberg

Yr: 2021
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose, Rita Moreno, Mike Faist, David Alvarez
Style: Drama, Musical
Ranking: PG-13
Metacritic rating: 85

Steven Spielberg’s West Aspect Story is the form of film that makes the case that some remakes are good, truly. In case you’re acquainted with the Broadway musical, the 1961 movie, and even simply Romeo and Juliet, you already get the final concept: In 1957 New York, a younger couple fall in deep, sweeping love at first sight, however their burgeoning romance fuels an all-out conflict between two rival gangs. Sure, Spielberg’s movie has “I Really feel Fairly,” “America,” and all the enduring Sondheim-Bernstein songs, but it surely additionally miraculously breathes new life into a well-known story with poignant updates (it is form of about gentrification now! The Sharks truly converse to one another in Spanish!) and nice performances from Ariana DeBose, Mike Faist, and Rita Moreno, who starred within the authentic movie and performs an entire new character right here. It is a true old-fashioned film musical, the form of huge, exuberant factor that’ll make you lean again in your chair and say, “Ah, cinema.” –Allison Picurro [Trailer]

The French Dispatch

For followers of: Being twee as F, Hollywood’s coolest actors

Yr: 2021
Director: Wes Anderson
Stars: Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Benicio Del Toro, Invoice Murray, Owen Wilson, Timothée Chalamet
Style: Drama, Comedy
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 74

It isn’t his greatest work, however Wes Anderson’s die-hard followers will not care. The visible director’s 2021 movie follows the editor (Anderson staple Invoice Murray) of an American newspaper in mid-Twentieth century France and is split into 5 vignettes within the type of tales written by his reporters. Every gives completely different appears and themes, and most significantly, a forged of main Hollywood expertise. Owen Wilson, Benicio del Toro, Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, and extra have been most likely pulling down Anderson’s door to seek out out which sweaters they’d be sporting within the movie. -Tim Surette [Trailer]

Kimi

For followers of: Hitchcock for right now’s age, staying inside, pandemic paranoia

Yr: 2021
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Stars: Zoë Kravitz
Style: Drama, Thriller
Ranking: NR
Metacritic rating: 78

Zoë Kravitz performs an agoraphobe who works for a tech firm with its personal digital private assistant. Her job is to take heed to customers’ failed requests and enhance the gadget’s synthetic intelligence, however when she thinks she hears a homicide in one of many recordings, she inadvertently will get concerned within the crime. It is a thriller within the vein of Rear Window, however higher than it needs to be due to Kravitz and the attention of director Steven Soderbergh. -Tim Surette [Trailer]

Free Man

For followers of: Video video games, Ryan Reynolds

Yr: 2021
Director: Shawn Levy
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi
Style: Motion, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Ranking: PG-13
Metacritic rating: 62

This particular effects-travaganza was one of many greatest field workplace hits of 2021 — a really bizarre yr on the motion pictures — and obtained unexpectedly optimistic evaluations from critics who could not assist however be charmed by Ryan Reynolds, one in all Hollywood’s most likable personas. Reynolds performs Man, a non-player character in a online game who at some point decides to take cost of his future and begin doing what he appears like. This results in him serving to a gamer/pc programmer named Millie (Jodie Comer) attempt to take down an evil sport firm CEO (Taika Waititi) who stole code from her. It is a nice, undemanding watch that appears extra like a straight-to-streaming film than a theatrical blockbuster. -Liam Mathews [Trailer]

The King’s Man

For followers of: Spy jinx, motion pictures that do not require mind exercise

Yr: 2021
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Matthew Goode, Djimon Hounsou
Style: Motion, Journey
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 44

After a promising begin, The Kingsman movies have gotten worse and worse, which means that The King’s Man, the third and most up-to-date movie within the franchise, is the worst. But audiences nonetheless gobble them up as a result of the flicks are solely right here to maintain you occupied for a pair hours, and completely nothing extra. This prequel gussies up the franchise by setting it round WWI because the Kingsman group is fashioned after the demise of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and it delivers a good mind trip of motion and mediocre screenwriting. On the very least, watch to see Charles Dance in a comical mustache. –Tim Surette [Trailer]

No one

For followers of: Bob Odenkirk, common guys as badass guys

Yr: 2021
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd
Style: Motion, Thriller
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 64

You realize Bob Odenkirk from his function because the sniveling, conniving felony lawyer Saul Goodman from Breaking Unhealthy or Higher Name Saul, so one factor you’d by no means anticipate him to be is an motion hero. However within the John Wick-esque thriller No one, Odenkirk will get critical, going from mild-mannered household man to ass-kicking machine when his home is robbed. It is a enjoyable film loaded with violence that proves Odenkirk is a bonafide star who can do greater than grovel or con his approach out of a scenario. -Tim Surette [Trailer]

Nightmare Alley

For followers of: The circus, sideshow freaks and cons, an A-list forged and A-list units

Yr: 2021
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe
Style: Drama
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 70

Somebody someplace remains to be consuming popcorn they purchased whereas watching Nightmare Alley within the theaters on its mid-December premiere evening and but the film is already on Hulu. That is not a knock on the standard of Nightmare Alley, the touring circus movie noir from Guillermo del Toro, it is extra a sign of the velocity of streaming. Bradley Cooper stars as a carnival employee within the Nineteen Thirties and Nineteen Forties who learns to grift the wealthy and well-known from different circus folks, and he is joined by a stellar forged that features Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Ron Perlman, and David Straitharn. Underneath del Toro’s eye, Nightmare Alley is a sight to behold, a time warp to the shady touring sideshows and stylish artwork deco ballrooms of the period when everybody was working some type of scheme. -Tim Surette [Trailer]

The Fallout

For followers of: Highschool, trauma bonding, indie movie

Yr: 2021
Director: Megan Park
Stars: Jenna Ortega, Maddie Ziegler
Style: Drama
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 84

That is a kind of indies that people who find themselves tremendous into movie festivals have been speaking about for months, and now the remainder of us lastly get to see it. It is about two highschool women — performed by Jenna Ortega and Maddie Ziegler — who strike up a bond after surviving a faculty taking pictures. The film is extra of an empathetic have a look at their responses to it than it’s in regards to the precise tragedy, which is a refreshing change of tempo from motion pictures like this, which generally attempt to flip their characters into inspiring symbols of resilience. The Fallout is extra fascinated by exploring how these youngsters get by the day after witnessing one thing unthinkable. Shailene Woodley and Julie Bowen co-star. [Trailer]

The Final Duel

For followers of: Matt ‘n Ben, medieval occasions, seeing the identical story advised a number of completely different occasions

Yr: 2021
Director: Ridley Scott
Stars: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck
Style: Drama, Motion
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 67

You would possibly’ve missed The Final Duel when it was launched in theaters, but it surely’s truly the higher — and way more delicate — of Ridley Scott’s two 2021 movies (apologies to Home of Gucci). Set in medieval France, it is primarily based on the true story of the final trial by fight, which takes place when a knight, Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), challenges a squire, Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), to a duel after Jean’s spouse (Jodie Comer) accuses Jacques of raping her. The film is split into three components, exhibiting how every character interprets the occasions of the movie otherwise. Damon and Ben Affleck co-wrote the movie with Nicole Holofcener, and Affleck completely steals the film in a supporting function because the flamboyant Depend Pierre d’Alençon. [Trailer]

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

For followers of: Uncanny prosthetics, biopics, Jesus

Yr: 2021
Director: Michael Showalter
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones, Vincent D’Onofrio
Style: Drama, Biopic
Ranking: PG-13
Metacritic rating: 55

Jessica Chastain lights up what may’ve in any other case been a by-the-books biopic of probably the most well-known televangelists of all time, Tammy Faye Bakker. It follows the rise and fall of Tammy Faye and her husband, Jim (Andrew Garfield), by the ’70s as they created an enormously well-liked non secular broadcast community that was finally destroyed by a bunch of scandals. As Bakker, Chastain wears some loopy prosthetics and a few even crazier make-up, however she additionally finds the human being in there that made Bakker such an interesting cultural determine. [Trailer]

The Matrix movie sequence

For followers of: Questioning actuality, unimaginable/hilarious motion set items, studying in regards to the origins of redpilling

Yr: 1999, 2003
Director: Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss, Laurence Fishburne
Style: Sci-Fi
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 73, 62, 47

Ever heard of it? All the way in which again in 1999, the Wachowskis gave us The Matrix, a film about actuality being completely different than the fact all of us suppose we’re dwelling in, and now all these years later, Reddit customers have turned “redpilling” into an entire males’s rights activism factor. How the world has modified! Regardless of all that, these motion pictures nonetheless rule (even an OK Matrix film remains to be a ton of enjoyable to look at), with excellently choreographed combat scenes, and all of them are devoid of all of the annoying quippy humor each motion film made right now has. Plus, Keanu! The fourth movie, The Matrix Resurrections, was launched on HBO Max in December, and it’ll return to the platform someday within the spring or early summer time. [Trailer]

Listening to Kenny G

For followers of: Saxophone music, seeing divisive icons in a brand new gentle

Yr: 2021
Director: Penny Lane
Stars: Kenny G
Style: Documentary
Ranking: NR
Metacritic rating: 81

Possibly the phrases “Kenny” and “G” ship chills down your backbone, unearthing deep-seated trauma from that point you bought caught in an elevator. That notion is not ignored on this enjoyable documentary in regards to the curly-locked saxophonist, which not solely appears on the legend himself, but additionally his polarizing place amongst musicians and regular folks alike. Director Penny Lane makes use of Kenny G as a jumping-off level for questions on style, making this greater than only a typical music documentary. –Tim Surette [Trailer]

DMX: Do not Attempt to Perceive

For followers of: Intimate appears on the interior lives of celebrities

Yr: 2021
Director: Christopher Frierson
Stars: DMX
Style: Documentary
Ranking: NR
Metacritic rating: 91

It is easy to be skeptical of documentaries about deceased celebrities, particularly ones who have been as beloved and influential as Earl “DMX” Simmons, however this one stands aside for the truth that the late rapper was truly concerned. It follows a yr in DMX’s life, starting in early 2019 as he rebuilds his life and profession after serving a 12-month sentence in jail. The movie incorporates interviews with DMX and provides a glance into his non-public life, all whereas inspecting the influence he had on tradition. There is no strategy to watch a movie like this with out mourning the artist at its heart who died too quickly, but it surely’s a must-watch for anybody who needs to be taught extra in regards to the individual DMX was behind the music. [Trailer]

The Suicide Squad

For followers of: Re-do motion pictures, blood, antiheroes

Yr: 2021
Director: James Gunn
Stars: Idris Elba, John Cena, Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman
Style: Motion, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 72

To not be confused with 2016’s Suicide Squad (there is no “the” in that one, get it?), James Gunn directs this irreverent superhero film a few group of villains who’re recruited by the federal government to go to a distant island and destroy an evil starfish. With a forged that features Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, and Viola Davis and over-the-top violence that matches the franchise, it is a huge enchancment from the primary Suicide Squad film. When you’re performed watching it, you possibly can take a look at HBO Max’s spin-off sequence Peacemaker, which facilities on Cena’s character. [Trailer]

Spirited Away

For followers of: Beautiful animation, enchanting tales

Yr: 2002
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Stars: Hidetoshi Nishijima, Toko Miura
Style: Journey, Fantasy, Animation
Ranking: PG
Metacritic rating: 96

One of many coolest issues about HBO Max is that it is house to the Studio Ghibli assortment, placing Hayao Miyazaki’s biggest movies in a single place. Spirited Away might be his most well-known one, having gained the Oscar for Finest Animated Function. It got here out in 2001, and all these years later, it stays a stunningly animated, wholly shifting movie, following just a little lady named Chihiro whose mother and father are was pigs by a witch, forcing her to enter the witch’s treacherous, mysterious world as she tries to discover a strategy to free her mother and father. It is a fully magical expertise, and the right gateway to Miyazaki’s work. [Trailer]

Moonstruck

For followers of: Insane individuals, Italians

Yr: 1987
Director: Norman Jewison
Stars: Cher, Nicolas Cage, Danny Aiello
Style: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Ranking: PG
Metacritic rating: 83

HBO Max has a terrific Turner Basic Motion pictures catalog, and Moonstruck is only one of many choices to select from — however personally, I would say it is the most effective. The 1987 rom-com stars Cher as Loretta Castorini, a disillusioned widow who falls in love together with her new fiancé’s estranged and erratic brother, Ronnie (Nicolas Cage). Not a single character on this film acts like an individual you’d ever run into in actual life, however they’re all working on the identical degree of craziness, which is what makes all of it work so properly. It is humorous and shamelessly goofy, accomplished by Cher and Cage’s crackling chemistry. [Trailer]

Zack Snyder’s Justice League

For followers of: Acts of fan service, superhero team-ups, lengthy motion pictures made longer

Yr: 2021
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Jared Leto, Jason Momoa
Style: Drama, Motion
Ranking: NR
Metacritic rating: 54

What else is there to say about Zack Snyder’s Justice League? Very similar to the unique 2017 non-Snyder reduce, this Justice League follows a group of superheroes, comprised of Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Marvel Lady (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher), as they try to avoid wasting the world from a robust supervillain, however this model has new scenes and world-building parts that Joss Whedon’s model didn’t. It is also for much longer, clocking in at simply over 4 hours. [Trailer]

Avenue Gang: How We Obtained to Sesame Avenue

For followers of: The healthful artwork of children’ TV, Elmo and associates

Yr: 2021
Director: Marilyn Agrelo
Style: Documentary
Ranking: PG
Metacritic rating: 82

I am unable to consider a extra healthful time than watching a documentary about how Sesame Avenue got here to be. Again within the ’60s, a bunch of geniuses had the novel concept to make youngsters’ programming instructional, which after all ended up turning into probably the most profitable and influential TV sequence of all time. It is enjoyable to see individuals like Jim Henson and Frank Oz once they have been younger and completely unsure in regards to the gamble they have been making on this present about pleasant puppets. [Trailer]

The Lord of the Rings trilogy

For followers of: Epic fantasies, friendship, harmful jewellery

Yr: 2001, 2002, 2003
Director: Peter Jackson
Stars: Elijah Wooden, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler
Style: Drama, Fantasy
Ranking: PG-13
Metacritic rating: 92, 87, 94

If HBO Max solely had the prolonged editions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy I might nonetheless confidently name it the most effective streaming service on the market. Fortunately, it has much more stuff than that (clearly), however that does not make it any much less thrilling that we LOTR followers can watch the complete variations of Peter Jackson’s sprawling, visually gorgeous journey sequence at any time when we wish. Even when you have not seen them, you are most likely acquainted with the final plot: Frodo (Elijah Wooden), a hobbit, goes on a quest to destroy the terribly highly effective One Ring and the darkish lord who made it. Every prolonged installment clocks in at properly over three hours, however HBO Max additionally has the common theatrical cuts (which, admittedly, are all about three hours) should you’re extra of an off-the-cuff fan. There is no fallacious strategy to watch LOTR. [Trailer]

Malignant

For followers of: Motion pictures that really feel like fever goals

Yr: 2021
Director: James Wan
Stars: Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Younger
Style: Horror
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 51

HBO Max has a wide selection of horror motion pictures that features issues like The Shining and the Conjuring sequence, however I am selecting to spotlight James Wan’s frankly batty Malignant to signify all of them. It is an audacious, wholly authentic thrill trip a few girl (Annabelle Wallis) who retains having visions of individuals being killed, solely to understand the murders are literally occurring in actual life. I will not spoil something, however when she finally learns who the assassin is, it ends in one of many wildest horror-action showcases you will probably ever see. Malignant is a cult traditional within the making, and it deserves our respect. [Trailer]

Delight & Prejudice

For followers of: Tom Wambsgans, English countrysides, repressed individuals

Yr: 2005
Director: Joe Wright
Stars: Kiera Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen
Style: Drama, Romance
Ranking: PG
Metacritic rating: 82

Earlier than he was TV’s saddest man, Matthew Macfadyen starred in the most effective Jane Austen movie adaptation of all time. (Yeah, I stated it! I am not afraid!) Joe Wright directs this model of the traditional story, the place the headstrong Elizabeth Bennett (Keira Knightley) meets Mr. Darcy (Macfadyen), whose deep-set emotional repression complicates their fledgling connection. You have not lived till you’ve got seen Tom Wambsgans flex his hand. Is Delight & Prejudice largely a narrative about a bunch of people going to each other’s houses? Completely. Is that a part of what makes it so good? Duh. [Trailer]

Mad Max: Fury Street

For followers of: Having your world rocked, indignant girls, dystopian futures

Yr: 2021
Director: George Miller
Stars: Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, Nicholas Hoult
Style: Drama, Motion, Sci-Fi
Ranking: R
Metacritic rating: 90

Mad Max: Fury Street is the uncommon reboot that really makes a powerful case for its existence. George Miller (who additionally directed the unique Mad Max motion pictures) directs this exhilarating movie set in a dystopian future the place gasoline and water are commodities, revolving across the lieutenant (Charlize Theron) of a nightmarish cult chief who helps 5 of his imprisoned wives escape, leading to an extended, harmful highway chase. It is a huge, impressively constructed motion film with a giant coronary heart and quite a lot of compassion for its characters. [Trailer]